Replaceable cosmetic panels for machine cabinets

Abstract

A machine cabinet system is provided. The system includes a machine cabinet with a top face and a front face. In one embodiment, a removable panel is included that is removably coupled to at least one of the top face and the front face of the machine cabinet. In another embodiment, the removable panel is removably coupled to the machine cabinet without use of a tool.

1. A gaming machine system, comprising:
 a gaming machine cabinet including a closed top face, a closed first side face, a closed second side face, a closed back face, and a front face that are configured such that the closed top face, the closed first side face, the closed second side face, and the closed back face form a closed gaming machine cabinet enclosure; 
 said gaming machine cabinet further including a light tower protruding upwardly from the closed top face thereof; 
 said gaming machine cabinet further including a plurality of coupling apertures formed in one or more of the closed top face, the closed first side face, the closed second side face, and the closed back face; and 
 a removable cosmetic gaming machine panel manufactured utilizing a metallic material and including a top panel portion, a first side panel portion, a second side panel portion, and a back panel portion, wherein at least part of one or more of the top panel portion, the first side panel portion, the second side panel portion, and the back panel portion form seams with respect to each other so that the removable cosmetic gaming machine panel is adapted for being removably coupled over the closed gaming machine cabinet enclosure to provide a cosmetic appearance of a single unified gaming machine cabinet panel with a predetermined theme; 
 said removable cosmetic gaming machine panel further including a plurality of threaded studs fixed to and protruding from one or more of the top panel portion, the first side panel portion, the second side panel portion, and the back panel portion, for being removably inserted into the coupling apertures of the gaming machine cabinet such that nuts are capable of being screwed onto the threaded studs from an inside of the gaming machine cabinet to secure the removable cosmetic gaming machine panel to the gaming machine cabinet, wherein an exterior appearance of the removable cosmetic gaming machine panel is devoid of exterior markings associated with the threaded studs for cosmetic purposes; 
 said closed top panel portion of the removable cosmetic gaming machine panel further including a top light tower opening for allowing the light tower of the gaming machine cabinet to pass therethrough. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the removable cosmetic gaming machine panel is flexible. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the top face of the gaming machine cabinet is rounded, and the removable cosmetic gaming machine panel is removably coupled to the rounded top face of the gaming machine cabinet. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein removal of the removable cosmetic gaming machine panel does not show an inside architecture of a gaming machine associated with the gaming machine cabinet. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the closed top panel portion of the removable cosmetic gaming machine panel further includes a vent opening for allowing air flow with respect to the gaming machine cabinet. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one panel portion of the removable cosmetic gaming machine panel further includes an indicia opening for allowing view of indicia on the gaming machine cabinet. 
     
     
       7. A gaming machine method, comprising:
 providing a gaming machine cabinet including a closed top face, a closed first side face, a closed second side face, a closed back face, and a front face that are configured such that the closed top face, the closed first side face, the closed second side face, and the closed back face form a closed gaming machine cabinet enclosure; said gaming machine cabinet further including a light tower protruding upwardly from the closed top face thereof; said gaming machine cabinet further including a plurality of coupling apertures formed in one or more of the closed top face, the closed first side face, the closed second side face, and the closed back face; and 
 removably coupling, to the gaming machine cabinet, a removable cosmetic gaming machine panel manufactured utilizing a metallic material and including a top panel portion, a first side panel portion, a second side panel portion, and a back panel portion, wherein at least part of one or more of the top panel portion, the first side panel portion, the second side panel portion, and the back panel portion form seams with respect to each other so that the removable cosmetic gaming machine panel is adapted for being removably coupled over the closed gaming machine cabinet enclosure to provide a cosmetic appearance of a single unified gaming machine cabinet panel with a predetermined theme; said removable cosmetic gaming machine panel further including a plurality of threaded studs fixed to and protruding from one or more of the top panel portion, the first side panel portion, the second side panel portion, and the back panel portion, for being removably inserted into the coupling apertures of the gaming machine cabinet such that nuts are capable of being screwed onto the threaded studs from an inside of the gaming machine cabinet to secure the removable cosmetic gaming machine panel to the gaming machine cabinet, wherein an exterior appearance of the removable cosmetic gaming machine panel is devoid of exterior markings associated with the threaded studs for cosmetic purposes; said closed top panel portion of the removable cosmetic gaming machine panel further including a top light tower opening for allowing the light tower of the gaming machine cabinet to pass therethrough. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the removable cosmetic gaming machine panel is flexible. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the top face of the gaming machine cabinet is rounded, and the removable cosmetic gaming machine panel is removably coupled to the rounded top face of the gaming machine cabinet. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 5 , wherein removal of the removable cosmetic gaming machine panel does not show an inside architecture of a gaming machine associated with the gaming machine cabinet. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the closed top panel portion of the removable cosmetic gaming machine panel further includes a vent opening for allowing air flow with respect to the gaming machine cabinet. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 5 , wherein at least one panel portion of the removable cosmetic gaming machine panel further includes an indicia opening for allowing view of indicia on the gaming machine cabinet.